Editing Elliot S. Maggin (section)

==Career==
===DC Comics===
Maggin started working as a professional writer in his teens, selling historical stories about the [[Second Boer War|Boer War]] to a boys' magazine. He attended [[Brandeis University]], where he wrote a term paper titled "What Can One Man Do?" for a class during his junior year.<ref name="Callahan">{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17934 |title=Elliot S! Maggin's Noble Humanity |first=Timothy |last=Callahan |date=September 4, 2008 |work=When Words Collide |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081115163921/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17934 |archive-date=November 15, 2008 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all|access-date=March 17, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Eury">{{cite journal|editor-last = Eury|editor-first = Michael|editor-link = Michael Eury|title = A Super Salute to Elliot S! Maggin|journal = [[Back Issue!]]|issue = 62|pages = 20–21|publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|date = February 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> When it received a grade of B+, Maggin disagreed with the assessment, remade it as a comic book script, and sent his script to [[DC Comics]].<ref name="Callahan" /> It was passed around the DC offices, and [[Neal Adams]] chose to draw the script.<ref name="Callahan" /> The story was published in ''[[Green Lantern (comic book)|Green Lantern]]'' #87 (Dec. 1971-Jan. 1972).<ref name="GCD">{{gcdb|type=writer|search= Maggin|title= Elliot S. Maggin}}</ref> ''Green Lantern'' editor [[Julius Schwartz]] commented that "I’ve been a comix editor for over 27 years and never... have I ever come across a ‘first-time’ script... that can come within a light-year of equaling ‘What Can One Man Do?’ in professional slickness and comix know-how. ... Indeed, to equalize this thrilling experience, I must go back three decades when, as a literary agent, I sold the very first story of a young [[Ray Bradbury]]!"<ref>{{cite journal| last = Wells | first= John | date = December 2010 | title = Green Lantern/Green Arrow: And Through Them Change an Industry |journal= Back Issue!| issue = 45 | pages = 39–54 | publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> Though the initial grade was not amended, Maggin became a writer for DC.

During Maggin's time at Brandeis, he befriended the university's vice-president, meeting his family.<ref name="Cronin2005" /> During one of the meetings, the vice-president's stepson (and future comic book writer) [[Jeph Loeb]] suggested a story that would eventually be called "Must There Be a Superman?".<ref name="Callahan" /> Maggin used the idea, which became his initial foray into the Superman franchise,<ref name="Cronin2005">{{cite web|url=http://goodcomics.blogspot.com/2005/09/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-18.html |title=Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #18! |first=Brian |last=Cronin |date=September 29, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719030601/http://goodcomics.blogspot.com/2005/09/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-18.html |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all|access-date=March 17, 2012}}</ref> and it was published in ''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]'' #247 (Jan. 1972).<ref name="GCD" /> He wrote [[Green Arrow]] stories as well, where his sense of humor was allowed far more freedom in the loose dialogue of the main character.<ref>{{cite journal|last = Kingman|first = Jim|title = The Ballad of Ollie and Dinah|journal= Back Issue!|issue = 64|pages = 13–14|publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|date = May 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina|quote = Green Arrow was the character with whom I most identified.}}</ref>

''Superman'' #300 (June 1976) featured an out-of-[[Continuity (fiction)|continuity]] story by Maggin and [[Cary Bates]] which imagined the infant Superman landing on Earth in 1976 and becoming a superhero in 2001. The tale was an inspiration for [[Mark Millar]]'s ''[[Superman: Red Son]]'' limited series published in 2003.<ref>{{cite journal|last = Stroud|first = Bryan D.|title = ''Superman'' #300|journal = Back Issue!|issue = 69|pages = 31–33|publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|date = December 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> He was the initial writer of the ''[[Batman Family]]'' title and paired [[Barbara Gordon|Batgirl]] and [[Dick Grayson|Robin]] together as a team in the first issue (Sept.-Oct. 1975)<ref>{{cite book|last1=McAvennie|first1= Michael|editor-last=Dolan|editor-first=Hannah|chapter= 1970s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|year=2010|location= London, United Kingdom |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 164 |quote = DC launched ''Batman Family'' with its memorable debut of the Batgirl-Robin team.  Scribe Elliot S! Maggin and artist Mike Grell unleashed 'The Invader From Hell'.}}</ref>  Maggin wrote a [[Brand licensing|licensed]] ''[[Welcome Back, Kotter]]'' comic book series<ref>McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 171: "The first issue [was] written by Elliot S! Maggin with spot-on likenesses rendered by Jack Sparling."</ref> which was based on the popular [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] [[situation comedy|sitcom]]. His credits for [[Marvel Comics]] include an adaptation of ''The [[Iliad]]'' in ''[[Marvel Classics Comics]]'' #26 (1977), and two superhero tales, ''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man]]'' #16 (March 1978) and ''[[The Incredible Hulk (comic book)|The Incredible Hulk]]'' #230 (Dec. 1978).<ref name="GCD" /> The first issue of ''[[DC Graphic Novel]]'' featured an adaptation of the ''[[Star Raiders]]'' [[video game]] by Maggin and artist [[José Luis García-López]].<ref name="GCD" />
 
Maggin wrote ''Superman'' #400 (Oct. 1984) which featured work by several popular comics artists including the only major DC work by [[Jim Steranko]] as well as an introduction by noted science-fiction author [[Ray Bradbury]].<ref>Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 209 "The Man of Steel celebrated his 400th issue in star-studded fashion with the help of some of the comic industry's best and brightest. Written by Elliot S! Maggin and featuring a cover by Howard Chaykin, the extra-long issue featured the art of Frank Miller, Brian Bolland, and Moebius, among others. The issue also featured a visionary tale written and drawn by Jim Steranko, and an introduction by famous science-fiction author Ray Bradbury."</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last = Addiego|first = Frankie|title = ''Superman'' #400|journal = Back Issue!|issue = 69|pages = 68–70|publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|date = December 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> Maggin's contributions to the [[Multiverse (DC Comics)|DC Multiverse]] include [[Superboy-Prime]] and [[Lexcorp]].<ref>Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 215: "Superboy made his innocent debut in the pages of [''DC Comics Presents'' #87], written by Elliot S! Maggin and illustrated by Curt Swan."</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=5834|title= Chat Transcript: Elliot S! Maggin|first= Brian|last= Cronin|date= October 19, 2005|website= Comic Book Resources|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110617103540/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=5834|archive-date= June 17, 2011|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all|access-date= March 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last = Eury|first = Michael|title = The Krypton Companion |publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|year = 2006|location= Raleigh, North Carolina|page = 143| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Fcm4JrX-F54C&q=Maggin+Lexcorp&pg=PA143| isbn = 1893905616 }}</ref> His last Superman story, "...And We Are the Dreamers of the Dreams!", appeared in ''Superman'' #420 (June 1986),<ref name="GCD" /> and he was one of the contributors to the ''[[DC Challenge]]'' limited series in that same year.<ref>{{cite journal|last= Greenberger|first= Robert|author-link= Robert Greenberger|title= It Sounded Like a Good Idea at the Time: A Look at the ''DC Challenge!''|journal= Back Issue!|issue= 98|page= 39|publisher= TwoMorrows Publishing|date= August 2017|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref>

Maggin served as an editor for DC from 1989 to 1991 and oversaw the licensed [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] titles ''[[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (comics)|Advanced Dungeons and Dragons]]'', ''Avatar'', ''[[Dragonlance (comics)|Dragonlance]]'', ''[[Forgotten Realms (comics)|Forgotten Realms]]'', ''[[Gammarauders]]'', and ''[[Spelljammer (comics)|Spelljammer]]''.  He edited the ''[[Challengers of the Unknown]]'' limited series which was written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by [[Tim Sale (artist)|Tim Sale]].<ref>{{gcdb|type=editor|search= Maggin|title= Elliot S. Maggin (editor)}}</ref>

====Origin of professional name====
Because comic book scripts tend to favor the [[exclamation mark]] as the punctuation of choice, Maggin routinely used it instead of a [[Full stop|period]]. Out of habit, he once signed his own name "Elliot S! Maggin" and editor Julius Schwartz liked the distinctive rhythm of the name, insisting that Maggin's name henceforth be written that way.<ref name="Eury" /> Explaining in an interview:
{{blockquote|I got into the habit of putting exclamation marks at the end of sentences instead of periods because reproduction on pulp paper was so lousy.  So once, by accident, when I signed a script I put the exclamation point after my 'S' because I was just used to going to that end of the typewriter at the time.  And Julie saw it, and before he told me, he goes into the production room and issues a general order that any mention of Elliot Maggin's name will be punctuated with an exclamation mark rather than a period from now on until eternity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://superman.nu/theages/users/supreme/archive/elliot_s_maggin_seduces_the_innocent.html#s |title=Elliot S! Maggin Seduces the Innocent |first=Chris |last=Galdieri |date=December 19, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525020947/http://superman.nu/theages/users/supreme/archive/elliot_s_maggin_seduces_the_innocent.html |archive-date=May 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all |access-date=March 17, 2012 }}</ref>}}

===Beyond comic books===
In addition to the hundreds of stories Maggin wrote for the DC comics universe, he has written television scripts, stories for film, animation and journalistic pieces.  Many of them have continued to show his allegiance to comic book characters.  He wrote two Superman novels, ''[[Superman: Last Son of Krypton|Last Son of Krypton]]''<ref>{{cite book|last = Maggin|first = Elliot S.|title = Superman, Last Son of Krypton|url = https://archive.org/details/supermanlastsono00magg|url-access = registration|publisher = Warner Books|year = 1978|location= New York, New York|pages = 238|isbn = 978-0446823197}}</ref> and ''[[Miracle Monday]]''.<ref>{{cite book|last = Maggin|first = Elliot S.|title = Superman: Miracle Monday|publisher = Warner Books|year = 1981|location = New York, New York|pages = [https://archive.org/details/superman00elli/page/205 205]|isbn = 978-0446911962|url = https://archive.org/details/superman00elli/page/205}}</ref> He wrote the novelization of the graphic novel ''[[Kingdom Come (comic)|Kingdom Come]]'' based on the story by [[Mark Waid]], and a novel featuring the Marvel mutant superhero team ''[[Generation X (comics)|Generation X]]''.  He has occasionally sold scripts to non-print versions of superheroes, including [[Spider-Man (1994 TV series)|''Spider-Man'']] (1994), [[X-Men: The Animated Series|''X-Men'']] (1992), and ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]''.

Besides his work in comics, he has received compensation for raising horses, [[skiing]] instruction, teaching at various high schools and colleges, writing stories for [[Atari]] video games, and working on websites.  As of 2008, he had worked for several years as a developmental learning consultant for [[Kaiser Permanente]].<ref name="PoliticalBio" />

===Politics===
In 1984, Maggin first ran for political office as a candidate for the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] in [[New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district]] but was defeated in the Democratic primary.<ref name="NH1984" />  After the election, the campaign was the subject of a lawsuit brought by the [[Federal Election Commission]], in which his [[treasurer|campaign treasurer]] and the committee itself had to pay fines for failing to submit a 1984 [[quarterly report]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.fec.gov/law/litigation_CCA_FEC_K.shtml#fec_maggin|title= FEC v. Maggin for Congress Committee|date= November 1993|work= FEC Record|publisher= [[Federal Election Commission]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110628221539/http://www.fec.gov/law/litigation_CCA_FEC_K.shtml#fec_maggin|archive-date= June 28, 2011|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all|access-date= March 17, 2012}}</ref>

Maggin was the Democratic nominee for a seat in the [[New York State Assembly]] in 1990.  He was defeated by the Republican incumbent.<ref name="NYSA1990" />

On May 21, 2007, Maggin announced<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.maggin.com/maggin/ca24/manifesto.htm |title= To My Pop Cultural Brethren|first= Elliot S.|last= Maggin |date= May 21, 2007|publisher= Maggin.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080511170901/http://www.maggin.com/maggin/ca24/manifesto.htm|archive-date=May 11, 2008 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all|access-date= March 15, 2012}}</ref> that he would be running for the 2008 Democratic party nomination for [[California's 24th congressional district]] seat.  On February 1, 2008, Maggin posted on the main page of his website that he had decided not to run after all,<ref>[http://www.maggin.com/maggin/default.htm Elliot's Universe] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821134402/http://www.maggin.com/maggin/default.htm |date=2008-08-21 }}</ref> effectively ending his 2008 campaign. In an essay written the following day, he cited principally financial reasons for his withdrawal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.corporateminutes.us/ESM/DisplayEntry.cfm?BlogID=11 |title=Maggin, Elliot S! "Life Intervenes" 2 February 2008|access-date= April 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003162210/http://www.corporateminutes.us/ESM/DisplayEntry.cfm?BlogID=11 |archive-date=October 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> It appears that at no point during this campaign did he ever officially file with the [[Federal Election Commission]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.fec.gov/finance/disclosure/disclosure_data_search.shtml |title= Summary Reports Search Results – 2007–2008 Cycle|publisher= [[Federal Election Commission]]|df=mdy-all|access-date= March 17, 2012}}<!--  the FEC site does not allow searches to be archived.  Use the given url to search for information on the 2008 U.S. House race in California's 24th District.--></ref>

Maggin's campaign received the endorsement of fellow comics writer [[Tony Isabella]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbgxtra.com/columnists/tony-isabella-tonys-other-online-tips/elliot-s-maggin-for-congress |title=Elliot S! Maggin For Congress |first=Tony |last=Isabella |author-link=Tony Isabella |date=August 5, 2007 |work=Tony's Other Online Tips |publisher=[[Comics Buyer's Guide]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925170311/http://cbgxtra.com/columnists/tony-isabella-tonys-other-online-tips/elliot-s-maggin-for-congress |archive-date=September 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all |access-date=March 13, 2012 }}</ref>

====Electoral history====
New Hampshire District 2 September 11, 1984 Democratic primary election result<ref name="NH1984">{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=560393 |title=NH District 2 – D Primary |publisher=Our Campaigns |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111230425/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=560393 |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all|access-date=March 13, 2012}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Candidate
! Votes
! Percentage
|-
| [[Larry Converse]]
| align="center"|5,936 
| align="center"|41.59% 
|-
| '''Elliot S. Maggin'''
| align="center"|4,710 
| align="center"|33.00%
|-
| Carmen C. Chimento
| align="center"|3,554 
| align="center"|24.90%
|-
| [[Judd Gregg|Judd A. Gregg]]{{#tag:ref|Gregg was the Republican Party nominee in the general election but appeared on the ballot in the Democratic primary as well.|group=Note|name=note1}} 
| align="center"|74 
| align="center"|0.52%
|-
|}

New York State Assembly District 19 November 6, 1990 [[General election (U.S.)|General election]]<ref name="NYSA1990">{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=230724 |title=NY Assembly 19 |publisher=Our Campaigns |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043949/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=230724 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all|access-date=March 13, 2012}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Candidate (Party)
! Votes
! Percentage
|-
| Charles J. O'Shea (R)
| align="center"|18,645 
| align="center"|60.65% 
|-
| '''Elliot S. Maggin''' (D)
| align="center"|10,373  
| align="center"|33.74%
|-
| Edward J. Brennan ([[New York State Right to Life Party|Right to Life]])
| align="center"|1,722  
| align="center"|5.60%
|-
|}

===E-publishing===
Several of his works of fiction are available exclusively online, including the short story ''Luthor's Gift'' and the novella ''Starwinds Howl'', both of which take place in his Superman continuity.  He has presented a novel-in-progress, ''Lancer'', on his personal website.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.wtv-zone.com/silverager/interviews/maggin.shtml|title= Elliot S. Maggin Interview|first= Bryan|last= Stroud|date= March 31, 2009|publisher= The Silver Age Sage|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120901223855/http://www.wtv-zone.com/silverager/interviews/maggin.shtml|archive-date= September 1, 2012|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

He also set up a podcast called "Elliot Makes Stuff Up", where he did audiobook readings of his Superman novels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://maggin.libsyn.com/|title = Elliot Makes Stuff Up}}</ref>